Why Georges Niang is a key factor for the Cavs on the floor — and in the locker room

CLEVELAND — Georges Niang is the type of teammate who can keep others on track while ensuring the atmosphere is light. He's someone who has been by Donovan Mitchell's side for a long, long time. And he's valued within the Cavaliers locker room.

So when Niang drilled a key 3-pointer in Wednesday night's win over the Orlando Magic, Mitchell was pumped that a timeout was called, giving Niang his moment on the bench. The Cavs went nuts for him.

"G, man, just to see him fired up like that … He's a guy that's energetic and fiery and in the huddles kind of holds everybody accountable, as he should," Mitchell said. I think this was just something that we all felt like, 'All right, boom.' There's that big 3 we need out of him. That's why he's here."

Max Strus wasn't the only shooter the Cavs brought into the fold after their 5-game, first-round exit at the hands of the New York Knicks, in which they couldn't buy a basket. Strus was the headliner, as he was acquired to join the core four in the starting lineup.

But the Cavs also invested in Niang, signing him to a three-year, $26 million deal to add a combination of shooting ability with some size to the rotation. Niang has averaged 8.4 points per game this season, which is in line with his last two years, both in Philadelphia. But it's his efficiency the Cavs were after, as he's a career 43.6 percent shooter from 3-point range.

He's also shown the Cavs he can be a bit more versatile than that profile.

"I think the catch-and-shoot is something we all saw a lot of, but I think watching him and his ability to put the ball on the floor and get to his spot to shoot that little touch floater is something we didn't really he had in his game," said Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff. "And it's been helpful, too, because people close him out so hard."

Georges Niang, Donovan Mitchell reunited with Cavaliers

Perhaps nobody was excited about the Niang addition than Mitchell, the team's star who could potentially sign a long-term extension this summer or hurl the franchise into a possible crossroads. Mitchell and Niang played together for four seasons in Utah between 2017-18 and 2020-21. Niang went to Philadelphia, but the two were reunited this offseason.

In that way, the Cavs brought in a needed skillset to the rotation and a good friend of Mitchell's to the locker room. That all makes Niang a crucial piece to the puzzle on multiple fronts.

Mitchell wanted someone he knew can call him out when it's needed.

"That's why during this offseason, I was excited for him to come, because not only does he see the game, he's been around winning basketball," Mitchell said. "So for a guy like myself, you have coaches holding you accountable, you have teammates, but when you have a guy that's known you since the ball was put into your hand … That's something you want."

"I think that's something you really want in a teammate and a brother. I love that guy, man."

And Wednesday night, one of the key additions to the roster, who the Cavs hope can help elevate them to the next level, had his moment.

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavaliers Georges Niang draws praise from Donovan Mitchell